Disney goes high with on-ground route

The Walt Disney Company is all geared for the summer with not just new initiatives added to its programming line-up, but also various on-ground initiatives undertaken by the company. Two of these initiatives are International Volunteers Day and Make-A-Wish. Disney officials inform that both the events were created to put down roots in local communities.

Speaking on International Volunteers Day, Robert A Iger, President and CEO, The Walt Disney Company, said, “It is wonderful to give something back to the communities around the world in which we work. Volunteering is a significant part of the Disney tradition and we are pleased to be furthering that work globally on such a grand scale.”

The first International Volunteers Day is aimed at joining forces on an international level to brighten the lives of children and families. Thousands of Disney staff and cast members in nearly 40 countries are painting hospitals and orphanages, leading children on field trips to zoos and parks, screening movies, and holding art workshops at schools.

In line with its international expansion, Disney India is now supporting Make-A-Wish Foundation of India, Palana; Indian Council for Child Welfare; Vatsalya; Ashwini Charitable Trust of Bangalore; AHEAD of Kolkata; Palna and Udayan of New Delhi; and Nambikai Ellam of Chennai.

While the Make-A-Wish Foundation of India celebrated the International Wish Day, the highlight of the event was Disney’s Genie, the magical character from the Aladdin story, who made a special appearance to cheer the wish children.

Rajat Jain, MD, The Walt Disney Company-India, said, “Disney is committed to brightening kids’ lives when they need it most. Our association with the Make-A-Wish Foundation across the world, and especially here in India, mirrors our approach to this philosophy.”

Where Disney conducted these events, recently acquired-sister channel Hungama TV also has some on-ground events organised. Following the ‘Pyjama Pakdo’ supporting its summer programming, the channel has recently announced Hungama TV 2007 Captains’s Second Board of Kid Directors Meet.

Aparna Bhosle, Head of Programming and Production, Hungama TV, said, “At the heart of everything we do at Hungama TV is the voice of the captains. We have grown to accept that they can steer the channel to stay ahead. From making changes in our programming, distribution and marketing strategies, to flagging off Hungamathon across cities, they are doing it all.”

Post the first board meet in January, the Hungama TV young directors presided over the second board meet, and discussed their inputs and analyses from the first quarter. The agenda primarily was to discuss the momentum for a host of responsibilities that Hungama TV’s Captains set to achieve for the channel in the coming months.